At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage architecture teams, driving cloud transformation and innovative solutions.
- Company: Allianz Technology, a leader in tech solutions with a commitment to inclusion.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive pay, bonuses, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to continuous learning and industry innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology while fostering a collaborative and innovative team culture.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in architecture, leadership skills, and strong stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Head of Architecture – Allianz Technology UK Branch
Reporting directly to the Allianz Technology UK Head of IT.
An opportunity to lead and manage the Allianz Technology Solution and Technical architecture teams across Allianz Commercial, Personal and Specialty.
You will work closely with stakeholders—including the Retained IT Organisation, business leaders, IT teams and external partners—to ensure that architectural solutions align with the organization’s strategic goals.
Allianz is embarking on a cloud transformation journey, migrating from private cloud environments to a hybrid model using Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service and Software as a Service.
The Head of Architecture will drive migration strategies away from non‑strategic products such as Oracle Database and Web Logic Server onto compliant services within Allianz’s future cloud platform.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Solution and Technical architecture teams, providing direction, mentorship and support.
- Supervise architecture leads, ensuring alignment and coordination across projects.
- Develop and implement architectural strategies, roadmaps, standards, guidelines and best practices.
- Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment, promoting continuous improvement and professional development.
- Collaborate with key stakeholders in Allianz Technology Central, Allianz Group and the Allianz UK Retained Organisation to drive alignment to strategy.
- Engage stakeholders—including business leaders, IT teams and external partners—to understand their needs and communicate architectural concepts effectively.
- Maintain strong stakeholder relationships to secure support for architectural initiatives.
- Oversee the design and implementation of architectural solutions, ensuring they meet business and technical requirements and adhere to quality gates.
- Conduct architectural reviews and provide recommendations to maintain solution integrity.
- Account for architectural governance processes for both Solution and Technical Architecture.
- Collaborate with project managers to integrate architectural deliverables into project plans and timelines.
- Monitor and report on progress, identifying and addressing issues or risks.
- Ensure solutions are delivered on time, within scope and within budget.
- Work with other cross‑functional verticals to ensure cohesive and integrated solutions.
- Participate in cross‑functional meetings to align architectural strategies with overall business objectives.
- Share knowledge and best practices with other vertical leads to promote a unified approach.
- Build a community within the Architecture vertical to share knowledge and promote cross‑skilling.
- Stays current with industry trends, emerging technologies and best practices.
- Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement, including adoption of new technologies and Generative AI.
- Promote a culture of continuous learning and development within the architecture team.
Qualifications
Experience
- Proven senior architecture role with a strong background in designing and implementing solutions.
- Leadership experience with a team of architects or technical professionals.
- Strong stakeholder liaison skills and ability to build relationships.
- Experience collaborating with cross‑functional teams and verticals.
- Familiarity with public cloud providers and offerings, specifically AWS and Azure.
- Experience designing and deploying multi‑site solutions.
- Exposure to formal Service Management & Support processes such as COBIT and ITIL.
Skills
- Certification in a recognised architectural framework or methodology such as TOGAF.
- Strong leadership and motivational skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
- Knowledge of industry trends, emerging technologies and architecture best practices.
- Proficiency in Linux and Windows Server.
- Proficiency in cloud technologies and deployment models such as containerisation.
- Proven written proposal skills.
- Background in technical architecture or operations.
- Experience with cloud transformation / migration to public cloud (advantage).
- Key Competencies
- Strategic Thinking
- Leadership and Team Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Communication and Collaboration
- Problem Solving and Decision Making
- Innovation and Continuous Improvement
Benefits
- Hybrid work model with up to 25 days per year working from abroad.
- Competitive compensation including a company bonus scheme, pension, employee shares program and employee discounts.
- Career development and digital learning programs, including international career mobility.
- Flexible working, health and wellbeing offerings, healthcare and parental leave benefits.
- Commitment to Integrity, Fairness & Inclusion
Allianz Technology is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment for everyone.
We embrace individuals of all gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, ethnicities, ages, nationalities, religions, disabilities and philosophies of life.
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Head of Architecture_2939 in Guildford employer: Allianz Technology
Allianz Technology is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic hybrid work model that promotes a healthy work-life balance and the opportunity to work from abroad. With a strong commitment to employee growth through lifelong learning programs and international mobility, we foster a culture of innovation and empowerment, ensuring that every team member can thrive in their career while contributing to meaningful projects that shape the future of technology in the insurance sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Architecture_2939 in Guildford
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Architecture_2939 in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Allianz Technology!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Allianz Technology. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Allianz Technology
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Allianz Technology.
